丛枝菌根真菌侵染Bt玉米及对其生长的影响

以2个不同转化事件的Bt玉米5422Bt1(Bt11)和5422CBCL(Mon810)及其同源常规玉米5422为对象,研究接种摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)对Bt玉米与常规玉米生长的影响.结果表明:3个品系玉米接菌处理的菌根侵染率明显不同,菌根侵染各参数值总体呈现5422Bt1>5422CBCL>5422趋势;接种处理均促进了玉米的生长,其效应随玉米品系和生育期的不同而呈现差异,喇叭口期5422的地上部干重和总干重显著增加,拔节期5422Bt1的叶片数、茎粗以及喇叭口期的叶片数、茎粗、地上部干重、总干重显著高于对照,5422CBCL拔节期的叶片数和喇叭口期地下部干重增加显著;3个玉米品系菌根真菌依赖性与接菌效应为5422Bt1>5422CBCL>5422,2个Bt玉米品系与Glomus mosseae间的兼容性更好,接种处理对Bt玉米的生长促进作用强于常规玉米.     

种植Bt玉米及秸秆还田后土壤中Bt蛋白的变化及其对土壤养分的影响

在大棚水泥池内种植两个Bt玉米(5422Bt1和5422CBCL)及其同源常规玉米5422,研究了种植Bt玉米及秸秆还田过程中根际土、根围土、3层根外土(0～20、20～40和40～60 cm)中Bt蛋白含量的时空动态特征及其对土壤养分含量的影响．结果表明： 种植Bt玉米和常规玉米后,根围土(种植后90 d)和3层根外土(种植后30、60和90 d)中均检测到少量的Bt蛋白(含量<0.5 ng·g^-1),在Bt玉米5422Bt1和5422CBCL根际土中则分别检测到1.59和2.78 ng·g^-1的Bt蛋白．玉米秸秆还田后,Bt蛋白能在3 d内快速降解,在还田后第7天只检测到少量的Bt蛋白．与常规玉米5422相比,种植Bt玉米5422Bt1 90 d后根围土和3层根外土中有机质、速效养分(碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾)和全量养分(全氮、全磷和全钾)含量均没有显著差异;5422Bt1秸秆还田60 d后0～20 cm土层的有机质和全氮含量显著升高,速效钾含量显著降低,而其他养分指标则没有显著差异,20～40 cm和40～60 cm土层的所有养分指标均没有明显差异．种植Bt玉米5422CBCL后根围土中仅速效磷含量显著低于种植常规玉米5422,但0～20 cm土层中全磷含量显著提高,其他养分指标均没有差异;还田5422CBCL秸秆后仅0～20 cm土层的速效磷含量显著高于常规玉米5422．研究结果表明,通过玉米根系分泌和秸秆分解进入土壤的Bt蛋白不会在土壤中累积,对养分含量也基本没有显著影响.
     

广聚萤叶甲取食对豚草挥发物组分的影响

植物在遭受植食性昆虫为害后,会系统性地释放虫害诱导挥发物(HIPVs).为探明广聚萤叶甲取食对豚草挥发物组分的影响,本研究采用动态顶空吸附法和气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS),收集并分析了豚草在受机械损伤和受广聚萤叶甲取食损伤前后挥发物组分及相对含量的变化.结果表明,豚草健康植株与损伤植株的挥发物组分和相对含量具有明显的差异.与健康植株相比,受机械损伤后的豚草挥发物中新出现了乙酸芳樟酯、桉树醇、十二醛、γ-木罗烯、植物醇、β-波旁烯,这些化合物在受损后立即释放,表明它们是组成型豚草挥发性有机化合物(VOCs);受取食损伤后,挥发物中大根香叶烯D的相对含量显著增加,表明大根香叶烯D为诱发型VOCs;而较于健康植株和机械损伤植株,取食损伤后的豚草VOCs中增加了桧烯、辛醛、β-罗勒烯、香茅醇,表明这些化合物为HIPVs.此外,机械损伤与取食损伤对豚草VOCs组分的影响有所不同.受机械损伤后,挥发物的种类减少后(损伤后第3天)很快又恢复到健康水平,而受取食损伤后,VOCs的种类逐渐减少(损伤后3d内).受损后不同时期挥发物的种类和相对含量亦有显著差异.受损后的早期(1 d),释放的多为一些豚草绿叶性物质,而在后期有一些诱导物释放.本研究结果为利用豚草VOCs和HIPVs组分提高广聚萤叶甲对豚草的防控效果奠定了重要基础.     

植物源挥发物对玉米田天敌昆虫的诱集效果比较

【目的】比较7种植物源挥发物反式-β-法尼烯、橙花叔醇、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮、顺-3-己烯乙酸酯、丁香酚、芳樟醇、顺式茉莉酮在玉米田中对天敌昆虫的诱集效果,为利用植物源挥发物对玉米田害虫进行生物防治提供参考。【方法】将7种植物源挥发物制作挥发物引诱球,利用水盆诱捕器、粘虫板和五点取样法调查百株虫量,比较7种植物源挥发物对捕食性和寄生性天敌昆虫的诱集效果。【结果】在7种植物源挥发物的筛选中,橙花叔醇对黄缘蜾蠃Anterhynchium flavomarginatum较其它6种化合物和对照的诱集效果有明显差异,顺式茉莉酮对黑带食蚜蝇Episyrphus balteatus较其它6种化合物和对照的诱集效果有明显差异,反式-β-法尼烯和顺式茉莉酮对龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica较其它5种化合物和对照的诱集效果有明显差异;在橙花叔醇和顺式茉莉酮的小区试验中,2种挥发物对龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis的诱集效果明显优于对照,橙花叔醇对黑带食蚜蝇和虎斑食虫虻Astochia virgatipes的诱集效果明显优于对照。【结论】在7种植物源挥发物中,对玉米田天敌昆虫的诱集效果,橙花叔醇较好,顺式茉莉酮和反式-β-法尼烯次之。     

机械损伤对Bt玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应

植物在生长过程中形成了抵御机械损伤等外界胁迫的直接和间接防御体系, 并具有明显的系统性特征。Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)玉米(Zea mays)是全球商品化最快的抗虫转基因作物之一。机械损伤等外界胁迫对Bt玉米和常规玉米化学防御的系统诱导效应是否存在差异是值得探讨的问题。该文以两个不同转化事件的Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’(Bt11)和‘5422CBCL’(Mon810)以及它们共同的同源常规玉米‘5422’幼苗为材料, 对玉米第一叶进行机械损伤处理6 h后, 检测非损伤部位(第二叶和根系)中Bt蛋白含量、直接防御物质丁布(DIMBDA)含量及其调控基因(Bx1、Bx6和Bx9)表达、直接防御物质总酚含量及其调控基因(PAL)表达、直接防御蛋白调控基因(MPI和PR-2a)表达以及间接防御物质挥发物调控基因(FPS和TPS)表达的变化。结果表明, 与健康植株相比, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米第二叶和根系的Bt蛋白含量均没有显著影响; 机械损伤第一叶只能系统诱导常规玉米‘5422’第二叶中PAL、TPS和根系中PAL、FPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量显著增加, 但根中丁布含量及其调控基因Bx6和Bx9基因的表达量明显下降; 而机械损伤能系统诱导Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’第二叶中Bx6、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、Bx9、PAL、MPI、PR-2a、TPS基因的表达, 使得第二叶丁布含量明显增加; 对于另一Bt玉米‘5422CBCL’而言, 机械损伤能系统诱导第二叶中Bx9、PAL、PR-2a、TPS和根系中Bx6、PAL、MPI、TPS基因的表达, 使得根系的总酚含量显著增加。由此可见, 机械损伤对两个Bt玉米化学防御反应的系统诱导作用均强于常规玉米‘5422’, 说明在机械损伤的系统诱导防御过程中, 人工导入抗性(Bt基因)与自身化学防御过程之间的互作关系是协同的。     

褐飞虱对水稻特异性挥发物的行为反应

【目的】本研究通过测试褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (St?l)对水稻特异性挥发物的行为反应,研究水稻特异性挥发物对褐飞虱选择行为的影响,寻找出对褐飞虱有驱避或引诱功效的水稻挥发物成分,为稻田褐飞虱综合治理提供理论基础。【方法】选择水稻十一烷、十六烷、十七烷、芳樟醇、植醇、2-乙基-1-葵醇、柠檬烯、月桂烯、壬醛、葵醛、2-十二酮、水杨酸甲酯12种挥发物,以正己烷作为溶剂分别配置1、10和100μL/mL 3种浓度处理,采用四臂嗅觉仪测试3种浓度的12种水稻挥发物对褐飞虱行为反应。【结果】发现6种水稻挥发物包括芳樟醇、水杨酸甲酯、植醇、壬醛、葵醛及2-十二酮显著驱避褐飞虱,仅发现月桂烯1种水稻挥发物成分可显著引诱褐飞虱。其中,芳樟醇和水杨酸甲酯在测试的3个浓度中均显著驱避褐飞虱,依照由低到高浓度,褐飞虱对化合物的选择率相较于对照分别下降92.3%、122.2%、242.9%（芳樟醇）,57.1%、70.6%、188.9%（水杨酸甲酯）,而其它4种驱避剂和1种引诱剂都在浓度达到100μL/mL时才显著影响褐飞虱行为反应。【结论】水稻中存在对褐飞虱具有较好驱避或引诱作用的特异性植物挥发物,可用于生产中开发有效植物源驱避剂或引诱剂用于水稻褐飞虱生态防控。     

红火蚁工蚁对棉蚜诱导的棉花挥发物的嗅觉和行为反应

【目的】红火蚁 Solenopsis invicta 与棉蚜 Aphis gossypii 存在兼性共生关系,红火蚁可能利用棉蚜危害诱导棉花释放的挥发物定位棉蚜。本研究将测试红火蚁工蚁对棉花挥发物的嗅觉和行为反应。【方法】使用Y型管实验测试红火蚁工蚁对棉花气味的行为反应;以红火蚁告警信息素2-乙基-3,5(6)-二甲基吡嗪为阳性对照,测试红火蚁工蚁对不同剂量(100, 10, 1 和0.1 μg)的9种棉花挥发物组分[α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、β-石竹烯、( E, E )-4,8,12-三甲基-1,3,7,11-十三碳四烯(TMTT)、( E )-4,8-二甲基-1,3,7-壬三烯(DMNT)、辛醛、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮、顺-3-己烯基乙酸酯和水杨酸甲酯]的触角电位反应;再利用Y型嗅觉仪测试这些挥发物对红火蚁工蚁的行为选择影响。【结果】结果表明,受棉蚜为害的棉花较健康棉花对红火蚁工蚁具有极显著的引诱效果。红火蚁对9种挥发物组分的EAG反应随着剂量升高而升高。各化合物在100 μg剂量时EAG反应值最大,其中,工蚁对水杨酸甲酯和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮这两个化合物反应最强。在行为选择实验中,化合物水杨酸甲酯、6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮和DMNT对红火蚁工蚁均具有显著的引诱效果。【结论】棉蚜诱导的棉花挥发物中水杨酸甲酯和6-甲基-5-庚烯-2-酮对红火蚁有显著的引诱效果,这2种化合物可能在红火蚁定位棉蚜、建立共生关系中起着关键的作用。     

棉蚜和茉莉酸甲酯诱导棉花挥发物组分分析

采用固相微萃取和气质联用技术,对健康棉叶、蚜害棉叶、蚜害棉叶-棉蚜复合物、茉莉酸甲酯处理棉叶以及棉蚜蜜露和棉蚜自身挥发物成分进行了提取和组分分析。共检测出27种挥发性化学物质。健康棉叶、蚜害棉叶、蚜害棉叶-棉蚜复合物、茉莉酸甲酯处理棉叶挥发物中,均含α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、β-石竹烯、十五烷、十六烷、十七烷、-Cyclohexen-1-ol,1-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-4-methyl-7种组份。蚜害棉叶或蚜害棉叶-棉蚜复合物中检测到α-水芹烯、α-石竹烯、α-法尼烯、2,6,10-三甲基十五烷、(E,Z)-2,6-二甲基-2,4,6-辛三烯、2,6,10,14-四甲基十五烷、蒽、二酚基丙烷8种组份;3-蒈烯、(E)-β-法尼烯只在蚜害棉叶及茉莉酸甲酯处理棉叶中被检测出。在棉蚜及其蜜露中都能检查到壬醛、癸醛、十四烷、十五烷、十六烷、十七烷;而1-甲氧基-4-[(Z)-1-丙烯基]苯、(E)-β-法尼烯、菲只在棉蚜蜜露中被检查到;6,10-二甲基-5,9-十一双烯-2-酮只在棉蚜中被检测到。研究结果为进一步开展棉花、棉蚜挥发物对天敌昆虫的吸引作用研究奠定了基础。     

稻虱缨小蜂响应水稻挥发物的性二型性特征

[目的]比较稻虱缨小蜂Anagrus nilaparvatae雌雄蜂对水稻挥发物的电生理响应,明确寄生蜂嗅觉感受能力的性别差异,为提高寄生蜂在害虫生物防治中的应用效率提供依据.[方法]建立微小触角电位检测方法,测量雌雄蜂对不同类别的9种水稻挥发物的触角电位反应,对具有差异反应的挥发物进行梯度浓度刺激实验.[结果]电生理测试中,雄蜂对反-2-己烯醛的反应最强,对反-石竹烯的反应最弱,反应顺序从大到小为醛、酯、醇、萜;雌蜂对顺-茉莉酮的反应最强,对芳樟醇的反应最弱.测试的9种水稻挥发物中,6种挥发物在雌雄间存在显著的响应差异.在梯度浓度测试中,雄蜂对顺-柠檬烯、芳樟醇和顺茉莉酮3种挥发物的浓度变化没有明显的电生理响应差异,而对反-石竹烯、橙花叔醇和反-2-己烯醇产生明显电生理反应;雌蜂对6种挥发物的浓度变化都产生明显的电生理响应,其中,萜烯类物质芳樟醇、反-石竹烯和橙花叔醇在测试的最低浓度(0.01 g/L)时的电生理反应最强.[结论]稻虱缨小蜂的嗅觉感受能力在雌雄间存在明显的差异,且雌蜂对水稻挥发物的电生理反应较雄蜂灵敏.挥发物浓度在范围0.01-100 g/L内,通过稻虱缨小蜂对不同浓度下EAG值的差异,可以初步判断不同浓度的挥发物存在不同生态功能.     

虫害诱导的水稻挥发物对褐飞虱的驱避作用

水稻叶片在遭受害虫的危害时,释放一些特异性的挥发性物质。这些挥发性信息物质在调节植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的相互关系中有重要作用。利用“Y”型嗅觉仪研究了褐飞虱对虫害诱导的11种水稻挥发物（浓度为2 Μl 化合物溶解在100 Μl丙酮溶液中）的行为反应。结果表明,(E)-2-己烯醛、(E)-2-己烯-1-醇、-2-庚醇和水杨酸甲酯等4种化合物对褐飞虱成虫有显著的驱避作用,而(Z)-3-己烯-1-醇、-2-庚酮、柠檬烯、罗勒烯、芳樟醇、-β-子丁香烯和橙花叔醇等7种物质对褐飞虱成虫的选择行为无显著影响。浓度梯度的实验表明,浓度(不同体积的待测化合物用100 Μl丙酮稀释)较低的(E)-2-己烯醛（0.5 Μl、1 Μl）和芳樟醇（05 Μl、1 Μl、5 Μl）对褐飞虱成虫的选择行为无显著影响,而较高浓度的(E)-2-己烯醛（5 Μl、10 Μl）和芳樟醇（10 Μl）对褐飞虱成虫均有明显的驱避作用。     

The Cry1Ab Protein Has Minor Effects on the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities after Five Seasons of Continuous Bt Maize Cultivation

The cultivation of genetically modified plants (GMP) has raised concerns regarding the plants’ ecological safety. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the impact of five seasons of continuous Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) maize cultivation on the colonisation and community structure of the non-target organisms arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the maize roots, bulk soils and rhizospheric soils using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the 28S ribosomal DNA and sequencing methods. AMF colonisation was significantly higher in the two Bt maize lines that express Cry1Ab, 5422Bt1 (event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810) than in the non-Bt isoline 5422. No significant differences were observed in the diversity of the AMF community between the roots, bulk soils and rhizospheric soils of the Bt and non-Bt maize cultivars. The AMF genus Glomus was dominant in most of the samples, as detected by DNA sequencing. A clustering analysis based on the DNA sequence data suggested that the sample types (i.e., the samples from the roots, bulk soils or rhizospheric soils) might have greater influence on the AMF community phylotypes than the maize cultivars. This study indicated that the Cry1Ab protein has minor effects on the AMF communities after five seasons of continuous Bt maize cultivation.     

Presence of Cry1Ab in the Bt maize – aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) – ladybeetle (Propylea japonica) system has no adverse effects on insect biological parameters

Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) crops receive particular attention because they carry genes encoding insecticidal proteins that might negatively affect non‐target arthropods. Here, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of Cry1Ab‐expressing transgenic maize [5422Bt1 (event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810)] on the biological parameters of two non‐target arthropods, the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its predator the ladybeetle Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). In a long‐term assay (three generations), no significant differences were found between R. maidis fed Bt maize and those fed a near‐isogenic line (5422) when individual parameters were compared, including nymph development time, adult longevity, aphid spawning period, and fecundity. No negative effects were detected throughout the life cycle of P. japonica in aphids’ feeding amount, development (nymphs, pupae, adults, and progeny eggs), fecundity, or egg hatching when they preyed on Bt maize‐fed aphids compared with non‐Bt maize treatments. A tritrophic assay revealed that Cry1Ab was highly diluted through the food chain (Bt maize leaves, R. maidis, and P. japonica), as detected by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In conclusion, although Cry1Ab concentrations in maize leaves increased as the plants developed, Cry1Ab levels were significantly reduced in the aphid R. maidis, and no traces of Cry1Ab were detected in P. japonica preying on Bt maize‐fed aphids. The two hybrids of Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab had no negative effects on the measured biological parameters of the aphid R. maidis or its predator, the ladybeetle P. japonica.     

De Novo Biosynthesis of Volatiles Induced by Insect Herbivory in Cotton Plants

In response to insect feeding on the leaves, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants release elevated levels of volatiles, which can serve as a chemical signal that attracts natural enemies of the herbivore to the damaged plant. Pulse-labeling experiments with [13C]CO2 demonstrated that many of the volatiles released, including the acyclic terpenes (E,E)-[alpha]-farnesene, (E)-[beta]-farnesene, (E)-[beta]-ocimene, linalool, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, and (E/E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene, as well as the shikimate pathway product indole, are biosynthesized de novo following insect damage. However, other volatile constituents, including several cyclic terpenes, butyrates, and green leaf volatiles of the lipoxygenase pathway are released from storage or synthesized from stored intermediates. Analysis of volatiles from artificially damaged plants, with and without beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hubner) oral secretions exogenously applied to the leaves, as well as volatiles from beet armyworm-damaged and -undamaged control plants, demonstrated that the application of caterpillar oral secretions increased both the production and release of several volatiles that are synthesized de novo in response to insect feeding. These results establish that the plant plays an active and dynamic role in mediating the interaction between herbivores and natural enemies of herbivores.     

Males of the predatory mirid bug Macrolophus caliginosus exploit plant volatiles induced by conspecifics as a sexual synomone

The olfactory responses of male and female Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) adults towards volatiles from green bean plants previously exposed to feeding by conspecifics and to direct odours from conspecifics were tested in a Y-tube olfactometer. Female M. caliginosus did not respond to volatiles from plants exposed to mirid feeding or to odours emitted directly by adult mirids. In contrast, male mirid bugs were attracted both to volatiles from plants previously exposed to feeding by conspecific females and to odours emitted by conspecifics only with a marginally significant preference for the former. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that mirid feeding induced the release of 11 additional compounds as compared to the volatiles emitted from clean plants. Three of these substances (5-ethyl-2(5H)-furanone, Z-3-hexenyl tiglate, and E,E-α-farnesene) were released only after feeding by females. Furthermore, 21 compounds were identified in volatiles emitted directly by mirids, 12 of which were unique to the mirids (i.e., not present in clean plants or plants previously exposed to mirid feeding). The results suggest that female-specific herbivore-induced plant volatiles play a role as mate-finding cues by the male mirids. The ecological implications of the findings are discussed, and the term ‘sexual synomone’ is introduced.     

Volatiles released from bean plants in response to agromyzid flies

Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are two invasive flies in China that have caused economical damage on vegetables and ornamental plants. In this article, we report the profiles of emitted volatiles from healthy, mechanically damaged, and leafminer-damaged bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., plants. Among 25 emitted volatiles identified, (E)-2-hexen-1-al, (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (syn)- and (anti)-2-methylpropanal oxime, (syn)-2-methylbutanal oxime, linalool, and (E,E)-α-farnesene were consistently released from damaged bean plants. Combined amounts of these nine compounds made up more than 70% of the total volatiles emitted from each treatment. No qualitative differences in volatile emission were found between bean plants damaged by the two fly species; however, amounts of several major compounds induced by L. huidobrensis damage were significantly higher than those from plants damaged by L. sativae. The mechanically damaged plants released a higher proportion of green leaf volatiles than plants in the other treatments, whereas leafminer-damaged plants produced more terpenoids and oximes. Furthermore, the volatile profiles emitted from plants, damaged by adult leafminers, by second instar larvae, and even the plants with empty mines left by leafminer larvae (the pupal stage) were significantly different. The identification of volatile oximes released from damaged plants was confirmed and is discussed in a behavioral and biological control context.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

The piercing-sucking herbivores Lygus hesperus and Nezara viridula induce volatile emissions in plants

Plant volatiles induced by herbivory are often used as olfactory cues by foraging herbivores and their natural enemies, and thus have potential for control of agricultural pests. Compared to chewing insects and mites, little is known about plant volatile production following herbivory by insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Here, we studied factors (insect life stage, gender, the role of salivary glands, and type of bioassay used for volatile induction) that influence the induction of plant volatiles by two agriculturally important hemipterans, Lygus hesperus and Nezara viridula. Feeding on intact cotton by virgin females of L. hesperus induced 2.6-fold greater volatile response compared to that induced by mated females, possibly due to increased feeding activity by virgin females. This plant volatile response was associated with elicitors present in the insect's salivary glands as well as to the degree of mechanical injury. Feeding injury by N. viridula females also increased volatile emissions in intact maize by approximately 2-fold compared to control plants. Maize seedlings injured by N. viridula emitted higher amounts of the monoterpene linalool, the sesquiterpenes (E)-beta-caryophyllene, alpha-trans-bergamotene, and (E,E)-beta-farnesene, and the homoterpene (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene, but not amounts of green leaf volatiles, compared to uninjured plants. Emissions from intact maize injured by adult males were lower than those emitted by adult females of the same age and did not differ from those emitted by uninjured plants. Similarly, feeding by virgin female N. viridula followed by excision led to 64% higher quantities of volatiles compared to untreated plants. Volatile emission in excised plants, however, was considerably greater than in intact plants, suggesting that careful consideration must be given to bioassay design in studies of herbivore-induced plant volatiles. Salivary gland extracts of N. viridula led to sesquiterpene emissions approximately 2.5-fold higher than for controls, although no significant differences were observed for green leaf volatiles, monoterpenes, and homoterpenes. These results indicate that L. hesperus and female N. viridula feeding induce volatile production in plants, and that volatile production is affected by gender and life stage of the bug. Although oviposition and mechanical injury by stylets may increase release of volatiles, elicitors from salivary glands of L. hesperus and N. viridula also seem to play a role in the emission of plant volatiles.     

Expression of lima bean terpene synthases in rice enhances recruitment of a beneficial enemy of a major rice pest

Volatile terpenoids play a key role in plant defence against herbivory by attracting parasitic wasps. We identified seven terpene synthase genes from lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus L. following treatment with either the elicitor alamethicin or spider mites, Tetranychus cinnabarinus. Four of the genes (Pltps2, Pltps3, Pltps4 and Pltps5) were up‐regulated with their derived proteins phylogenetically clustered in the TPS‐g subfamily and PlTPS3 positioned at the base of this cluster. Recombinant PlTPS3 was able to convert geranyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate to linalool and (E)‐nerolidol, the latter being precursor of the homoterpene (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT). Recombinant PlTPS4 showed a different substrate specificity and produced linalool and (E)‐nerolidol, as well as (E,E)‐geranyllinalool from geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Transgenic rice expressing Pltps3 emitted significantly more (S)‐linalool and DMNT than wild‐type plants, whereas transgenic rice expressing Pltps4 produced (S)‐linalool, DMNT and (E,E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐1,3,7,11‐tridecatetraene (TMTT). In laboratory bioassays, female Cotesia chilonis, the natural enemy of the striped rice stemborer, Chilo suppressalis, were significantly attracted to the transgenic plants and their volatiles. We further confirmed this with synthetic blends mimicking natural rice volatile composition. Our study demonstrates that the transformation of rice to produce volatile terpenoids has the potential to enhance plant indirect defence through natural enemy recruitment.     

Identification of Mythmna separata-induced maize volatile synomones that attract the parasitoid Campoletis chlorideae

Abstract:  Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hym., Ichneumonidae) is an important solitary koinobiont larval endoparasitoid of many noctuid species including Mythmna separata (Lep., Noctuidae). In the present study, maize volatiles induced by feeding damage of M. separata were found to be attractive to C. chlorideae in a Y-tube olfactometer. Eleven compounds were released in significant amounts from M. separata -infested maize seedlings, of which five compounds, ( Z )-3-hexen-1-ol, ( Z )-3-hexenyl acetate, ( E )-2-hexenal, linalool and phenylethyl acetate were chosen for electrophysiological and behavioural tests. All five compounds elicited electroantennogram responses in C. chlorideae . However, only pure ( Z )-3-hexenyl acetate and linalool were attractive to the parasitoid in the Y-tube. Interestingly, linalool was also attractive to starved parasitoids over a range of doses tested. These results suggested that ( Z )-3-hexenyl acetate and linalool may be key infochemicals in the host-foraging behaviour of C. chlorideae , and linalool may act as a food-source signal for the parasitoid.